The investigation began in 2010, when law enforcement in Minnesota and Wisconsin noticed an increase of a powerful prescription opiate called Opana on the streets. The drug trafficking led investigators to the Twin Ports area of Duluth, where Colton and 25 others conspired to distribute heroin and several types of prescription drugs.

Colton, a 43-year-old from Detroit, was found guilty on four charges: conspiring to distribute oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydromorphone, and heroin, and three counts of distributing or aiding and abetting distribution of oxymorphone, the drug found in Opana.

Each charge comes with a max sentence of 30 years in a federal prison without parole, meaning Colton is unlikely to breathe free air ever again.

Of the other 25 involved in the drug ring, 24 pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy, and one to possession with intent to distribute.

"This case will rid us of some long-time habitual offenders as well as help address the growing prescription drug and heroin problem facing our region," said Duluth Police Chief Gordon Ramsay in a statement.

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A federal indictment unsealed late yesterday charges 27 people with conspiring to distribute controlled substances, including oxycodone, oxymorphone, and heroin in the Twin Ports’ area of Duluth, Minnesota, and Superior, Wisconsin. The indictment, which was filed on September 20, 2011, charges the defendants with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. The indictment was unsealed following the initial appearance of 25 of the defendants in federal court. Of the 25 defendants, 11 have been preliminary detained pending further proceedings. In addition, one defendant is in state custody while another turned himself in to authorities in Colorado.

The indictment alleges that from 2010 through September of 2011, the defendants conspired with each other and others to distribute oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydromorphone, and heroin,all of which are powerful pain killers and/or narcotics.

In addition, Liddell, also known as Jy General, J.G., and Little Jeff, was charged with one count of continuing a criminal enterprise. The indictment alleges he occupied a position of organizer or leader of a continuing criminal enterprise that committed numerous violations of the Controlled Substance Abuse Act. He also was charged with six counts of distribution of controlled substances.

Moreover, Amatuzio, Johnson, Leddell, Saylor, Stauber, Willis, and Worley were charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, while Bergman was charged with two counts of that offense. Starks was further charged with four counts of using a firearm during and in relation to a drug-trafficking crime.

Authorities began investigating the group in 2010, after law enforcement noted an increase in Opana trafficking in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Opana contains the controlled substance oxymorphone. Officers conducted dozens of controlled purchases and other investigation before the arrests in this case. In addition, on September 27, 2011, search warrants were executed at nine properties in Minnesota and Wisconsin where authorities seized firearms, ammunition, approximately $30,000, as well as narcotics.

If convicted, the defendants each face a potential maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on the conspiracy charge, 20 years on each possession count and 20 years on each distribution count. In addition, Liddell faces a potential maximum penalty of life for continuing a criminal enterprise (which has a mandatory minimum penalty of 20 years), while Starks faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 additional years for the first firearm allegation, which involved a sawed-off shotgun. Each subsequent firearm count includes additional 25-year sentences. All sentences will be determined by a federal district court judge.

This case is the result of an investigation by the Lake Superior Drug and Gang Task Force, the Duluth Police Department, the Hermantown Police Department and the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Allen A. Slaughter.

Funny, most of this conspiracy to distribute is done for the very base product OUR Military is protecting in Afghanistan.

Opium production in Afghanistan has been on the rise since U.S. occupation started in 2001. Based on UNODC data, there has been more opium poppy cultivation in each of these four growing seasons (2004–2007) than in any one year during Taliban rule. Also, more land is now used for opium in Afghanistan than for coca cultivation in Latin America. In 2007, 92% of the non-pharmaceutical-grade opiates on the world market originated in Afghanistan.